Indianapolis, Indiana

Friday morning was time for hugs and good byes.  Paulette & Fred were heading to Michigan to visit friends they hadn't seen in 20 years and we were heading south to Indianapolis to see friends we haven't seen in almost 30 years.  It was great spending time with Paulette & Fred.  The time just went by too quickly.  Hopefully we'll see them on our way back to Washington.  We called Dave when we arrived at the RV park in Indianapolis.  Dave, Sharon and son Michael came out to see us in the evening.  We know Dave & Sharon from Lajes Field, Azores.  Dave worked with Ray in the GCA unit late 1970's.
This morning we met Dave & Sharon at Cracker Barrel for breakfast.  After breakfast they took us to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  We toured the Hall of Fame Museum and "500" Track Tour.  Then they took us downtown to The "State Soldiers' and Sailors" Monument "at "Monument Circle" as it is called today.  Ray, Dave and Sharon took the elevator to the top, 284 feet up.  You can pay $2.00 to ride the small elevator or climb the 331 steps to the observation deck.  I stayed in the cool waiting area at bottom.  Later we went to Dave & Sharon's home for a wonderful Lasagna dinner and visit.  It was a great day.





Sharon, Dave & Sandy with museum in background

1922 Indy 500 winner - average speed 78.22 mph

Just a few of the race cars in the museum.

Race car drivers?

Photos taken around the track.

Indiana State Capital

State Soldier's and Sailor's Monument

Lucas Oil Stadium - Home of the Indianapolis Colts

RV/MH Hall of Fame & Amish Acres

Today is a free day and we decided we needed to get out and see something beside the fair grounds.  So Paulette, Fred, Ray and I headed out to Elkhart, Indiana.  First stop was Cracker Barrel for breakfast.  Next stop was the RV/MH Hall of Fame Museum & Library.  I don't know how many RV's are on display, but there are several historical RV's.  You are able to enter several of them.  There is also a Hall where they have 4 new RV's on display and then upstairs are photos of members of the RV/MH Hall of Fame including Kay & Joe Peterson, the founders of the Escapees. 

Star Streak II - Custom built aluminum motorhome.  Built in 1988.

1933 Ford Kamp Kar

1916 Cozy Camp Tent Trailer

1929 Wiedman Housecar

Looking out over some of RV's on display.

After visiting the Museum we rode out to Nappanee, Indiana to Amish Acres, a Historic Farm.  We were able to do some shopping.  The shops had beautiful quilts, cookbooks, Amish dolls, and other goodies.  There was also a cheese shop, soda shop and fudgery and the Restaurant Barn Bakery.  It is an 80 acre farm that you can explore or take guided tours.  We didn't take the tour as we were short of time.  Needed to get back to the fair grounds for closing ceremony and hot dog dinner.

Wednesday Row Parade

Today is the last day we will be on the "Row."  The Escapade was open to the public and we had a parade at 1:00 pm from the Park to the Row.  So today we were only open 1:00-4:00.  We had quite a few people this afternoon.  At 4:00 we were able to take down our posters and put all the flyers, tables, etc away.  Tomorrow is a free day.

There was a Pet Parade following the Chapter Representatives.



Escapade Sunday - Tuesday

We have been Chapter Representatives on the Row for three days and are having fun.  For those who don't know what I am talking about I'll try to give a short explaination.  Ray & I belong to the Escapees RV Club, founded  in 1978 and has members throughout the U.S. and Canada. The essence of the group is to share knowledge and provide support to those who love the fulltime RV lifestyle. Regional chapters are the social arm of the club and provide the easiest way to get to know other Escapees. We belong to Washington Chapter 5.  Each year the Escapees have a week long Escapade get together and offer seminars on RV living for both beginning and veteran RVers. The Chapter Representatives are there to give out information on their area, and their Chapters Rallies and gatherings.  Every Chapter represented sets up tables with maps and pamphlets on your area, and little gifts, candy, etc to give out to those who stop by. Sunday-Tuesday  we needed to be in the "Row" 8:30 am - 4:00 pm with an hour lunch break.  Tomorrow we are open 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm and Thurs we are closed. 

Photos of the Row

There are vendors at the Escapade.  These ladies make name tags and sell patches, pins, etc.

Every afternoon at 4:30 was Happy Hour.  Announcements, entertainment & prizes were given out.
Sandy, Paulette & Fred

Our Chapter spot

Roy & Merrie from the Evergreen CoHo SKP Park, Chimacum, WA

Sandy & Ray

Buggy Parking Garage at the Walmart in Goshen, IN

Arrived in Goshen, Indiana

The last two days we completed our drive around Lake Michigan.  Some beautiful sights.  We spent Thursday night in Cedar Springs, Michigan and Friday night in Middlebury, Indiana.  We arrived at the Middlebury KOA at noon.  I had time to get my laundry done at the laundry room at the park.  Paulette and Fred arrived about 4:30 pm.  Ray cooked dinner for us...barbequed hot dogs and hamburgers.  After dinner Paulette & Fred got their laundry done.  We got up this morning to rain.  We left the KOA about 9:00 am and headed to Goshen and the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds.  They wanted everyone who was to be on the "Row" to arrive between 9-11 am so there were a few of us waiting to be parked.  They parked all the "Row" rigs together.  There were 51 of us that needed to be parked.  We spent the rest of the afternoon registering and attending a training session to learn what we were to do during the Escapade.  Tonight we went to The Row Dinner.  It was an Amish Thresher Meal at the Carriage House, home of the Jones family who prepare and serve the meal.  They served roast chicken, roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, chicken dressing, noodles, buttered  green beans, home made bread with spreads and broccoli & cauliflower salad. It was served family style and they kept the bowls of food full.  After the dinner pie was served.  You could have 2 pieces of pie.  There was a nice selection of pies - Apple, Chocolate cream, Coconut, & Bob Andy (a custard pie).  It was a delicious meal.  Tomorrow will be a busy day.


On way to Carriage House we passed an Amish buggy towing a boat

Inside the Dining Room.  A separate building from the family house

There is no electricity.  The lights are kerosene lights.

The family house

The family buggies and horses in background.








Lake Michigan

We left Fond Du Lac KOA this morning and drove along Lake Michigan to the Upper Peninsula.  Weather improved and winds are not gusty.  We stopped at a KOA Park in Maristique, Michigan, a harbor town on Lake Michigan.  The East Breakwater Lighthouse was first lit in 1917 and automated in 1969. The 35' red light tower is shaped like a square pyramid and may be seen from almost everywhere along the beach.

East Breakwater Lighthouse

Big Boy Restaurant, Manistique, Michigan

Lake Michigan

It is cold on Lake Michigan!